He inhales sharply and loudly at the contact; the pain of the cut is nothing compared to the hell going on inside of his head. But he recognizes Albus's power and his willingness to help and he seizes on both, siphoning strength through their pact to push the curse from his body.

The thing is black - like a parasite - and it is launched from his body in the shape of a foul specter. Gellert drags Albus into his arms, closing his fingers around the hand holding the Elder wand and utters a spell that will rip even something intangible into a thousand pieces. The spell is Dark, but it's the only one he could find that would do the job well and cleanly. Besides, who cares about the fate of a curse that has been feeding off the life and joy of someone undeserving for centuries?

The thing shrieks and then...the atmosphere of the cave seems to brighten and calm.